South African key players in the media industry are gathered at the Print Media Transformation Conference hosted by the Minister of Communications, Faith Muthambi, at Freedom Park, Pretoria.
The conference started today and is expected to run until tomorrow. The conference is aimed at addressing issues of transformation, accountability and diversity in the media industry.
It will also focus on measures that need to be taken to safeguard freedom of information and opinion.
Government officials, civil society groups, academics and media owners are expected to voice issues threatening transparency and press freedom in a democratic country.
According to the Department of Communications spokesperson, Mish Molakeng, the conference serves as a discussion platform for industry people and civil society to voice their concerns regarding issues faced by the media.
“What we are aiming to achieve is to transform the media to be inclusive. The demographic of the country should be reflected in the media. This two day conference looks at prominent issues faced by the media and ways in which the government can intervene to ensure that issues pertaining to the media are resolved, we particularly look at possible means to transform the media industry to be inclusive and reflective of the country’s diversity,” he says.
Katleho Morapela/Courant News
